INDI MP Cathy McGowan will be under increasing pressure to support a phasing out of live sheep exports when the contentious issue returns to the federal parliament later this month. Ms McGowan has to date refused to reveal a definitive position on the matter even though cross-bench colleague Rebekha Sharkie plans to introduce a private member’s bill similar to legislation introduced by Farrer Liberal MP Sussan Ley calling for an end to the industry within five years. The next sitting week of parliament begins on November 26 with newly minted cross-bencher Kerryn Phelps also supportive of the move. Ms McGowan side-stepped her position on the issue last week following the release of the Moss Review, which backed wholesale changes to the industry, but stopped well short of a phase out of the industry. The polling commissioned by Animals Australia in August of 675 Indi residents, and obtained by The Border Mail, reveals 68.4 per cent would support an eventual ban on the proviso farmers were assisted in the transition. Of those who stated they were Ms McGowan supporters, 86.9 per cent were in favour of the phase out as were 59.8 per cent of Liberal supporters. But, 50.8 per cent of National Party supporters opposed the move. Asked if at the next federal election would you be more or less likely to vote for a candidate who supported a phase out of live sheep exports, 73.5 per cent of Ms McGowan supporters voted more in the affirmative. Also, the response to whether survey participants wanted their local member to support legislation to phase out live sheep exports and replace it with meat exports, 86.5 per cent of Ms McGowan backers were in favour. Those surveyed were also asked who their first preference vote would go to if an election were held at the time and Ms McGowan attracted 37.19 per cent support ahead of Liberals (25.91), Labor (12.1), Nationals (10.4). Ms McGowan’s support from those surveyed was up almost 3 per cent on the 2016 election result. Ms McGowan’s office was contacted for comment.

Ms McGowan side-stepped her position on the issue last week following the release of the Moss Review, which backed wholesale changes to the industry, but stopped well short of a phase out of the industry.

The polling commissioned by Animals Australia in August of 675 Indi residents, and obtained by The Border Mail, reveals 68.4 per cent would support an eventual ban on the proviso farmers were assisted in the transition.

Of those who stated they were Ms McGowan supporters, 86.9 per cent were in favour of the phase out as were 59.8 per cent of Liberal supporters.

But, 50.8 per cent of National Party supporters opposed the move.

Asked if at the next federal election would you be more or less likely to vote for a candidate who supported a phase out of live sheep exports, 73.5 per cent of Ms McGowan supporters voted more in the affirmative.

Also, the response to whether survey participants wanted their local member to support legislation to phase out live sheep exports and replace it with meat exports, 86.5 per cent of Ms McGowan backers were in favour.

Those surveyed were also asked who their first preference vote would go to if an election were held at the time and Ms McGowan attracted 37.19 per cent support ahead of Liberals (25.91), Labor (12.1), Nationals (10.4).

Ms McGowan’s support from those surveyed was up almost 3 per cent on the 2016 election result.